Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that he does not want to see the planned off-shore coal mine for Whitehaven go ahead.
In an interview with the BBC as COP26 starts in Glasgow, he said: “I’m not in favour of more coal, but it is not a decision for me, it is a decision for the planning authorities.”
The £165 million plans, by West Cumbria Mining, would see an off shore coking coal mine created off the coast of Whitehaven.
It has been approved three times by Cumbria County Council, but was called in by the Government for review.
A planning inquiry has been held, led by planning inspector Stephen Normington, which finished on October 1.
Mr Normington will make his recommendations to Michael Gove, the minister for local communities.
The final decision rests with the Government.
One of the Government’s goals of COP26 is to persuade nations to phase out coal production.
